Hibiscus tea brews from bright and tangy petals of Hibiscus sabdariffa plant. It has been generally in use as a natural healing agent since the past. The most popular benefit of its is the power to assist in lowering blood pressure. Drinking a cup of Hibiscus tea can reduce blood pressure down. Systolic pressure is the pressure when your heart beats and pumps and diastolic pressure indicates the force when the heart is at rest.
It is common that some patients take medicines to control their high blood pressure. However, sometimes long-term use of these drugs may cause side effects. That is why the number of people turning to herbal and traditional treatments is increasing. Scientists are researching on herbal plants such as hibiscus to find out if they can be a safe method of hypertension treatment.
How Hibiscus Tea Works?
Hibiscus tea contains several natural plant chemicals that contribute to hibiscus tea benefits, especially for blood pressure. These include:
- Anthocyanins: These are natural chemicals that make the hibiscus flower red. These color-giving substances also work like protectors that shield your body’s cells from harm
- Flavonoids: Flavonoids are natural chemical in plants. They help quite down the body’s irritation and reduce swelling and keeps you feel better.
- Other antioxidants: They neutralize harmful molecules in your body called free redicals, which can damage cells.
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A 2020 review published in Pharmacology suggests that these antioxidants may help reduce blood vessels damage and also support vessels to stay open instead of narrowed. This can be a significant factor in the blood pressure lowering effect.
Moreover, the research suggests that some chemical components in hibiscus might mimic the role of ACE inhibitors that are in use as drugs to lower blood pressure.
Research Evidence
Evaluation of a Clinical Trial in Stage I Hypertension
A study was done to see how sour tea (Hibiscus sabdariffa) affects people with stage one high blood pressure. Patients diagnosed by a cardiologist were included after giving consent.
- 46 patients participated
- They were divided into two groups
- Both groups got the same tips on healthy living and diet advice
- The case group drank two cups of hibiscus tea every morning for one month
- Blood pressure was measured at the start and end of the study
Results:
Both groups experience a decrease in blood pressure, however, the blood pressure of the hibiscus tea group was reduces to a significantly greater extent for both systolic and diastolic pressure. It appears that consumption of hibiscus tea two times a day could be beneficial in the treatment of hypertension of stage one if it is accompanied by the practice of other healthy habits.
USDA Study
Another research shows that the individuals drinking hibiscus tea experiences their systolic blood pressure going down by 7.2 points, whereas the ones drinking a placebo only had it decrease by 1.3 points.
Other Research Findings
A review in 2015 discovered that the consumption of hibiscus tea can bring about a major drop in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. A further study has also shown that hibiscus tea could have the same strength as some prescription blood pressure drugs (e.g. ACE inhibitors) in lowering hypertension.
Furthermore, a comparative study went as far as to state that there was no difference in the efficacy of hibiscus tea and captopril (a typical ACE inhibitor) in blood pressure lowering.
How to Use Hibiscus Tea for Blood Pressure?
- Drink regularly: Aim for 1–2 cups every day
- How to make: Steep dried hibiscus flowers or tea bags in hot water for 5 minutes
- Hot or cold: Both forms work equally well
- Monitor results: Check your blood pressure often to track changes
Important Note About “Natural” Products
Natural products like from plants, does not means always it automatically make safe. Plants have different natural chemicals which can be strong or even harmful and their strength can vary based on soil, growing conditions, and how it is harvested or it processed.
For Example
The foxglove plant contain digoxin, a chemical useful for treating heart failure. People once used to crush the plant and take it to help heart issues, but unfortunately sometimes this caused side effects and problems like vision changes because the plant also contained harmful substances. Modern Science allowed the isolation of digoxin making a safe and helpful medicine.
The same idea applies to hibiscus and other herbs. Herbs can be helpful, but they are not regulated like medicines. Doctors cannot replace proven, precisely-measured medications with plants that may vary in strength.
Simple Summary
- Hibiscus tea has antioxidants that may help relax blood vessels.
- Several studies show it can lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
- Drinking 1–2 cups daily may help control stage one hypertension.
- Herbal remedies can help, but they should not replace prescribed medicines without medical advice.
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